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Nikki@WitMeetsGrit.Com

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Perspective. The last two years have provided it i

Perspective. The last two years have provided it in spades. I've always known the people in our lives matter but in the past it always felt "safer" to be independent and keep a bit of a wall around myself. This approach also made it easier to put my career ahead of everything else. At the end of the day, society has long rewarded the "busy" workaholic, the overachiever, and the self sacrificer. I've been lucky enough to have a career I love, working alongside people I can call friends, and be able to make a difference. Yet it is even easier to overextend yourself professionally when you love what you do and the people that you serve. Pregnancy, motherhood, and this pandemic (especially the family getting COVID) all came together to give me one hell of a reality check. There have been oodles of good times, giggles, and pleasant surprises but also A LOT of work and abrupt change. I've always believed that change is good but it sure is hard when you are living through it. Despite the challenges and heartache (and because of them), I've grown to deeply appreciate the people in my life, including myself, but especially those closest to me. The amount of love, consideration, and support I've been shown has deepened my commitment to nurturing those aspects life not found on a resume. Big love to the people in my life.

A little nature therapy and floral pallette cleans

A little nature therapy and floral pallette cleanser to bring some positivity back to social media.

The sweetest harbinger of winter. This year our sa

The sweetest harbinger of winter. This year our satsuma overflowed with enough fruit that we were able to harvest 15 pounds to send to our friends at @growfoodcarolina (even after Wren bit into about 6 oranges before I could catch her). It was fun being back on the farmer side of things, if only for one sale.

Feeling gratitude for another turn around the sun,

Feeling gratitude for another turn around the sun, although admittedly the last two years have probably aged me at least ten. Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and parenthood have all broken and reshaped me in ways I am still coming to terms with. To say the experience has been humbling and life changing is an understatement. It has been an incredible dichotomy of being pushed outside of myself while forced to look deep within simultaneously. I've spent the majority of my life focused on growing professionally and often ran out of time to nurture my spirit. My daughter has been a gift in so many ways, the most surprising one....her influence in helping me to take care of myself so I can better take care of others. Cheers to personal growth and self discovery no matter how uncomfortable and disorienting in can be...and to the family and friends who have helped support me while I figure it all out. Most of all, thank you to my amazing mother who brought me into this world 38 years ago and taught me what unconditional love looks like.

🌞 Happy Spring 🌞

🌞 Happy Spring 🌞

Happy Floral Friday! Thankful for farmer friends l

Happy Floral Friday! Thankful for farmer friends like @feastandflora for bringing flowers into my life while my garden takes a little baby break.

Hurrication vibes. Grateful for a safe sanctuary i

Hurrication vibes. Grateful for a safe sanctuary in the storm, especially now that we have our little bird. Road tripping with a 3 month old, two dogs, and a cat is not easy but somehow we made it to Greenville and back. Our nest in Charleston made it through the storm just fine (minus a few plants). My heart goes out to those who didn't fare as well, especially all of those on the islands 💓.

When a flower captures your mood perfectly. These

When a flower captures your mood perfectly. These first few months of motherhood are channeling the wild and chaotic energy of the Passiflora. There is nothing like having a tiny human to put things into perspective and force you to use every minute wisely. Currently sleep is top of the list (something passion flower can help with).

Orange you glad it's almost the weekend?

Orange you glad it's almost the weekend?

May Day...Beltane...Floralia. Today marks the half

May Day...Beltane...Floralia. Today marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. While I may not dancing around a bonfire, I quietly celebrated the seasonal change today listening to the birds and tree frogs, admiring the flowers in the garden and feeling my darling little baby kick.
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At 35 weeks along, we've been trying hard to prepare the nest for our little bird. Work has kept me incredibly busy, so the time is slipping away too quickly and I'm almost surprised to find myself so pregnant. .
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Soon I will be celebrating a new season in my life and one of the greatest adventures yet. Thankful to have @danfield42 by my side and incredible group of family and friends supporting us.

Yes, I'm growing more than a garden and no there i

Yes, I'm growing more than a garden and no there is not a watermelon under there 😉. We are expecting a baby girl the first week in June and I'm getting excited-terrified-overwhelmed for this next grand adventure. .
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The last several months have been challenging both physically and mentally, making me so thankful for the support of family and friends.
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This is only the beginning of the journey with my darling @danfield42 and our little bird. Shout out to everyone who has showered us with love and positivity!

Spring is in the air! With a little one on the way

Spring is in the air! With a little one on the way, my ability to handle the pollen or dig in the garden has been limited but it won't stop me from a good nature stroll and flower forage.

Farm Feature Friday. While my work centers around

Farm Feature Friday. While my work centers around food systems, I often find myself further from the field and more on the organizational development and operations side of things. When I have the opportunity to visit farmer friends, yes even in winter, I jump on the chance to get outside and revisit farm life.

Today I had the pleasure of squeezing in a very quick visit to @wildhopefarm while in Chester, SC. Wow, what a slice of farm paradise!! Caught up with my friend Shawn Jadrnicek and met Katherine "Peanut" Belk, who together shared the plans for their new wash pack line and loading dock. This beautiful diversified fruit & veggie operation focuses on a CSA farm share (including Charlotte, NC) and one farmers market but they also host dinners, wellness retreats, and birding walks. Definitely a place to revisit when there is more time!
Last month I caught up with Laura Mewbourn at her farm @feastandflora in Meggett, SC while interviewing her for an article. Her flowers have been featured in all kinds of amazing bridal floral images and her efforts with @lowcountryflowergrowers have really paid off. It is incredible to see how much she has in production and awesome to see her employing other new young women in farming.

Check out their great IG feeds and give them some love 🌱💓

Building community in the food system...one confer

Building community in the food system...one conference, one meeting, one meal, one person at a time. @southernsawg #ssawg2019 bringing together so many inspirational people.

SC --> GA --> AL --> MS --> TN --> AR road trip to

SC --> GA --> AL --> MS --> TN --> AR road trip to the @southernsawg #ssawg2019 conference with a pit stop in Birmingham to check out @jonesvalleyteachingfarm

Bald Head Island was hands down the coldest beachc

Bald Head Island was hands down the coldest beachcombing of my life but well worth it to see dolphins putting on a show while we explored the odd variety of flotsam and jetsam. Throughout our treasure hunt we reminisced about the years living on a sailboat when so many of the islands were still wild and everything was an adventure.

The government (and most of Washington DC) may be

The government (and most of Washington DC) may be shut down but thankfully the @usbotanicgarden is still open. Their conservatory is home to awesome plants like this cleistocactus winteri and its noodley appendages.

A new year unfolds full of hope and potential.

A new year unfolds full of hope and potential.

Baby Kelley...coming to Charleston in June! The do

Baby Kelley...coming to Charleston in June! The doggos have mixed feelings about a new sister...the cat refused to get in the picture. @danfield42 and I are so excited to grow our little family 😊

This one goes out to all the plants I accidentally

This one goes out to all the plants I accidentally forgot to bring inside or didn't cover in time.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Reducing the ripple effect of COVID-19 on the food system.
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Before the Storm: Preparing for a Hurricane
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